Finalists announced for Texas Rangers as part of MLB, Target and Time Inc.'s 'People' "All-Star" Teachers Program to honor teachers

Vote now to honor a teacher at AllStarTeachers.com through June 29th; Rangers winner to be recognized at the pre-game ceremony of the 2014 MLB All-Star Game on July 15th on FOX

By / MLB.com

Arlington, Texas--Major League Baseball, Target Corp (NYSE: TGT) and PEOPLE today announced the 90 finalists in the "Target Presents PEOPLE All-Star Teachers" campaign, which celebrates remarkable current and retired teachers who make an impact on the lives of their students and communities. The three finalists for the Texas Rangers include Alexandra Cornejo of Brownsville, TX, Felton Dickens of Dallas, TX, and Brenda Medina of Corpus Christi, TX. Fans are encouraged to visit AllStarTeachers.com to vote on their favorite stories through June 29th.

One winner from each of the 30 MLB Clubs will be included in All-Star Week activities and recognized during the pre-game ceremony of the 2014 MLB All-Star Game on FOX. An "All-Star Teacher" winner will be featured in 'PEOPLE' during the week of the MLB All-Star Game.

Alexandra Cornejo, who currently teaches at Lucio Middle School in Brownsville, previously spent four years at an elementary school in an impoverished area working with many at-risk students. Thanks to her dedication and commitment, her students in the first year earned above 90 percent passing rate. Alexandra was committed to helping her students after school, during planning time, and even held Saturday tutorials for reading enrichment. She currently teaches sixth grade reading in a low-income area with a large concentration of bilingual students. After school, this Texas Rangers fan takes part in the 21st Century program, which provides academic enrichment for students who attend low-performing schools in high-poverty areas. She engages students in activities for reading fluency and comprehension, often integrating computers and technology.

Over the course of his 26-plus years as an educator, Felton Dickens has touched countless lives teaching elementary through high school and currently works at George Peabody Elementary in Dallas. He has served as a Head Master at a private school, Principal, Vice Principal, and Academic Coordinator, where he worked with at-risk bilingual kids to keep them from falling behind. Going above and beyond is routine for Felton. He will often work a full day in a low income Dallas school, then go to work at night to help at-risk kids through a private program that gives them access to opportunities like computer labs and museums. Felton is a Texas Rangers fan, and lives just blocks from Globe Life Park in Arlington. This year, he was presented the "Doing What Needs to be Done" Award for his work providing more than 8,000 meals to low-in­come families.

Rangers fan Brenda Medina is a fourth grade bilingual teacher at Oak Park Elementary in Corpus Christi. She embodies the true definition of what a teacher should be, often staying late and working through lunch. At one time, she struggled with the very same issue many of her fourth grade students have: growing up in a Spanish-speaking home and learning English as a second language. Her students connect and relate to her, and she takes time to help their parents to translate school documents or even help with things like completing job applications. Brenda's students know her for being a positive, up­beat person, and she takes in stride the demands put on her as a teacher and a leader. Every year, she gets a new group of students, and every year they love her and want to do their best for her. She truly brings out the best in her students and her colleagues, and is an inspiration to many.

Target presents "PEOPLE All-Star Teachers" is just one part of Target, MLB and PEOPLE's effort to celebrate teachers and raise awareness about the importance of education this baseball season. MLB Legends have attended Target-hosted School Library Makeover events in MLB communities throughout the first half of the season including recently retired Texas Rangers great Michael Young. Guests and fans can visit ABullsEyeView.com/Baseball for regular updates and behind-the-scenes access to campaign activities leading up to the All-Star Game.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.